A brand name for affordable pocket watches and later wristwatches, popular in the early 20th century. Often refers to these timepieces.
Named after brothers Robert and Charles Ingersoll who founded the Ingersoll Watch Company in 1892. The surname Ingersoll comes from Old Norse 'Ingvar' (a personal name) plus Old English 'sceolu' meaning 'shallow place' or 'shoal'.
Ingersoll watches were revolutionary because they made timekeeping affordable for ordinary people - their slogan was 'The Watch That Made the Dollar Famous' since they cost just one dollar. These 'dollar watches' were so popular that at one point, one in every six watches sold worldwide was an Ingersoll.
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